Question about boating?.......

[NoBozo]

It was around 1955. I was 14. I lived in Paterson, NJ and the waterway was the Passiac River. My first boat was three logs lashed together with a piece of rope. I stood on this raft and used a pole to move the raft. I didn't have..or wear a PFD. No One was concerned.

Later on, I had an 8' hydroplane with a 10 hp outboard on the back. I didn't have or wear a PFD. I did have a life "cushion" that would save me. I also knew how to swim. No One was concerned.

I'm still here .....and an even more obnoxious individual than ever.

Maybe we should just suspend ALL stupid laws that are meant to save me.

Let's look at it another way..that would please Liberals and all those concerned with Global Warming, Overpopulation etc. If I died because of my own stupidity...then the population would be LESS. This would be GOOD.. No...????

I think the hypocrisy of the Left is Glaring. NB

[Skip]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

...Let's look at it another way..that would please Liberals and all those concerned with Global Warming, Overpopulation etc. If I died because of my own stupidity...then the population would be LESS. This would be GOOD.. No...????

I think the hypocrisy of the Left is Glaring... NB

I do not want to let this interesting thread digress into another political diatribe, our over extended Web Master has much more important issues to deal with here.

However virtually all of the boating laws we currently operate under here in NH, including these particular pertinent regulations under discussion, were introduced, debated and ultimatley passed by Republican controlled legislatures and in most cases signed into law by a Republican Governor.

If one is upset by the bulk of the State safety regulations governing how we boat here in New Hampshire then one also has to be cognizant that these regulations exist because of actions and support from both sides of the political aisle!

[tis]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

It was around 1955. I was 14. I lived in Paterson, NJ and the waterway was the Passiac River. My first boat was three logs lashed together with a piece of rope. I stood on this raft and used a pole to move the raft. I didn't have..or wear a PFD. No One was concerned.

Later on, I had an 8' hydroplane with a 10 hp outboard on the back. I didn't have or wear a PFD. I did have a life "cushion" that would save me. I also knew how to swim. No One was concerned.

I'm still here .....and an even more obnoxious individual than ever.

Maybe we should just suspend ALL stupid laws that are meant to save me.

Let's look at it another way..that would please Liberals and all those concerned with Global Warming, Overpopulation etc. If I died because of my own stupidity...then the population would be LESS. This would be GOOD.. No...????

I think the hypocrisy of the Left is Glaring. NB

Sometimes I wonder how we EVER managed to grow up without all the rules and regulations they have now. But we did, didn't we??!!

[jrc]

It's hard to pick a "good" political party on the subject of safety rules, both sides get carried away. Obviously we as voters could fix this but it it's really hard to rally people around the "people have a right to drown" platform. So once these rules and laws get in it's really hard to get them out.

And remember a lot of these become rules because the agency makes up a rule. The Congress and Governor are not voting individually on every rule.

Skip is right that the practical answer in a gray area is "whatever the NHMP decides to enforce". So essentially it's rule by fiat, unless you want to spend your time and money to fight it. Remember, the process is the punishment. Are you going to pay the small fine or spend more, take time off work and see if you can convince the judge you are right?

So did anyone ask NHMP yet?

[Newbiesaukee]

You really can't legislate against stupidity. I just looked out my window and noted two women "over a certain age" standing upright on two of these devices in the channel between Little Bear and Long Island at least 300 feet from shore. Neither was very steady on these craft"" and seemed to be flipping around their paddles. No PFD on them or on the boards. I used my binocs to make sure they were OK and the paddle flipping went along with the general stupidity and was not a distress signal. The last I saw, they were pretty close to shore so I assume they made it (this time).

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by Newbiesaukee

You really can't legislate against stupidity. I just looked out my window and noted two women "over a certain age" standing upright on two of these devices in the channel between Little Bear and Long Island at least 300 feet from shore. Neither was very steady on these craft"" and seemed to be flipping around their paddles. No PFD on them or on the boards. I used my binocs to make sure they were OK and the paddle flipping went along with the general stupidity and was not a distress signal. The last I saw, they were pretty close to shore so I assume they made it (this time).

Perhaps this is a new form of pugilistic watersport. The idea is to whack the other person with your paddle in such a way as to knock them off the board. Whacking the other person while they are in the water would not be permitted.

There probably should be a New Law that covers this activity..such as: You must wear protective headgear, ...and a wetsuit if the water temperature is below 68 degrees. You can never know How Many Lives will be Saved or Created by thoughtfull legislation. Just thinking out loud. NB

[Kamper]

The person I am aware of that got ticketted paddling inner-tube was south of the Governor's island bridge. He got the 'pool-toy' comparison I have previously mentionned. It's possible he would have been ignored in a less trafficked area.

[jrc]

seems like the coast guard has weighed in on this. USCG rules don't apply on the lake but the Marine Patrol will usually adopt similar rules and definitions.

http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/786/233959/

[SUP New Hampshire]

I noticed this post and I wanted to give a real solid answer to this.
I am head paddle instructor at www.supnh.com (Stand Up Paddle board NH)

I also been paddle boarding Winnipesaukee since 2006. I was looked at like a weirdo back then. (that's another story)

The women in the picture paddle boarding from the Laconia Daily Sun was wearing a PDF. It was around her waist/ looks like a fanny pack, it inflates when you pull the handle. Some of the hot headed marine patrol will not accept this waist PDF, others are okay with it.

The board itself is 11 foot long and is a GIANT PDF! with that said, if you ever slipped off and bumped your head on the board. That's bad news bears for you!
HONESTLY !If you are going for a long paddle across Winnipesaukee than be smart. i hope to see everyone out on the water this season, be safe!
Chris@supnh.com

[SUP New Hampshire]

oops! I almost forgot to mention that paddle boards are now considered boats since 2010. Before that it was okay to have Belt inflation device. SUP has become popular so now they treat it like a boat. You have to have a vest type device! and a whistle!!

I mentioned the picture of the women paddling with the waist PFD.
I did this because at the time of her photograph it was acceptable to wear belt devices on a paddleboard. No one would have given her a hard time back then.

Even the WPA(world paddle association) changed their certification for SUP and told old students to use vests now.

If anyone has any paddle board questions please feel free to ask

chris@supnh.com

[WakeboardMom]

Two summers ago I was put on my Versa-board. http://liquidlogickayaks.com/versa.cfm
It was a windy day and I fell off the board. I wasn't wearing a PFD. As it was, I fell off in a rocky, shoal area behind a small island that sits in front of my house. Family and friends could see the paddleboard floating/sailing down the bay, and had no idea that I was safely standing on a rock.

They were scared initially...concerned for my safety. I never go out now without a PFD and I don't allow guests to use the board without a PFD.

[RobertsCove0]

In answer to the original question. You definitely need a life jacket. I go out on mine a lot in Wolfeboro bay and Marine Patrol has stopped me three times. Luckily I had one with me, You just need to have it strapped to the board somehow you do not have to have the life jacket on however. Marine Patrol is def cracking down on people who are out without jackets. So always being one with you

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by RobertsCove0

In answer to the original question. You definitely need a life jacket. I go out on mine a lot in Wolfeboro bay and Marine Patrol has stopped me three times. Luckily I had one with me, You just need to have it strapped to the board somehow you do not have to have the life jacket on however. Marine Patrol is def cracking down on people who are out without jackets. So always being one with you

They should be required wearing though.
As mentioned, a fall and a head bang without it on doesn't help much.
I can see in a canoe or kayak but on a stand up board.
Yes they can be uncomfortable to wear if you do not have the proper one, but they make jackets that are comfortable when paddling, my wife just bought one last fall for when she is out on her kayak.

[SBC]

Originally Posted by SUP New Hampshire

oops! I almost forgot to mention that paddle boards are now considered boats since 2010. Before that it was okay to have Belt inflation device. SUP has become popular so now they treat it like a boat. You have to have a vest type device! and a whistle!!

I mentioned the picture of the women paddling with the waist PFD.
I did this because at the time of her photograph it was acceptable to wear belt devices on a paddleboard. No one would have given her a hard time back then.

Even the WPA(world paddle association) changed their certification for SUP and told old students to use vests now.

If anyone has any paddle board questions please feel free to ask

chris@supnh.com

Can't for the life of me figure out where you are going with this rant about 'inflatables used to be OK' etc., and hot headed Marine Patrol officers citing for this kind of PFD. I do think you have brought forth two very good suggestions though.

One is a PFD, carry it, strap it to the board or as in the case of this smart paddler pictured, WEAR IT. Doesn't interfere with motion or tan, is Type III USCG approved and not to be worn by those under 16 and is not an unsightly blob in your paddle styling. Simple right? So now think of that last statement, visibility, and that it just might not be immediately evident to you or a MP officer that she has a PFD. Might invite a closer inspection by a safety conscious officer don't you think?

Second is the whistle, audible over good distance, shrill sound different from other ambient noises and doesn't need a lot of breath to activate. Legally it is not required on a manually powered vessel but it sure makes a heap of sense to spend $3-5.00 to have one and attach it to your person or PFD.

And Belmont Resident, how much regulation do responsible adults need? You have seat belts in your car and you can choose to wear them if you are 18 or older. Your choice for safety. Motorcycle helmet for adults? Your choice for safety. The law states you must have a PFD on a boat of any kind but if you are 13 or over you have a choice to wear (Captain notwithstanding).

Please people, lets not cry for a law for every little thing, let's incorporate some common sense-everyday.

Let's go get the bottom wet.